Apparatus and method for aerial rearmament of aircraft

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an apparatus for the aerial transfer of munitions from a rearming aircraft to the weapons pylon of the recipient combat aircraft. The invention also provides for the selection of munitions from a database of munitions and aircraft types in response to an Air Tasking Order. The invention allows a variety of combat aircraft to be adapted to aerial rearmament. The invention also provides for the release of precision guided munitions directly from a rearming aircraft so that orbiting combat aircraft can guide these munitions to the target by remote control.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States for governmental purposes withoutthe payment of any royalty thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of military aircraft munitionsloading, specifically to the provision of a series of mechanical andelectronic components collected and assembled to provide the means forloading munitions onto aircraft while in flight.

Shrinking defense budgets, combined with the increasing needs of theUnited States to project its military power often on short noticethroughout the world, requires the armed forces to do more with lessequipment and fewer personnel. Recently, as can be seen in the case ofthe war against Iraq, there has been a lack of consensus among alliesforcing the United States to “go it alone” when prosecuting the waragainst terrorism. The nations of Europe, for example, lying closer asthey do to areas of turmoil such as the Middle East, are often reluctantto take hard stances against terrorists who lie within an automobileride from their borders. As can be seen most recently with Turkey duringoperation “Iraqi Freedom”, nations are often reluctant to promptlyprovide forward operating locations or to grant flyover rights forUnited States military aircraft lest these nations seem to be associatedtoo closely with United States military initiatives. The delays causedby these diplomatic barriers can seriously impact United States' combatoperational planning.

What is needed therefore is a means to not only refuel U.S. militaryaircraft while in flight, so as to extend mission operationaleffectiveness, but also a means to continually reload the munitionswhich have been expended during combat operations without having toreturn to either a distant friendly nation's ground bases, or in thecase of naval airpower, to a distant aircraft carrier, to obtain moremunitions.

Military combat aircraft require both fuel and munitions to completetheir assigned missions. While the re-fueling of combat aircraft can beaccomplished either while on the ground or in the air, the loading ofmunitions has thus far been limited to the ground. Because of this, theweapons mounts currently found on the pylons of military combat aircraftare designed specifically to be ‘single-shot’ in function and they arere-serviced each time the aircraft lands and takes off. Additionally,aerial rearmament would benefit the extension of airframe serviceablelife of combat aircraft which is otherwise degraded each time a combataircraft's heavy wing loads are stressed during take off. With an aerialre-armament system, combat aircraft would no longer need to take offwith any munition as they can all be loaded on the aircraft while inflight. Re-arming the aircraft while in flight would also offer addedadvantages in terms of military intelligence in that observers (spies)on the ground would not know where a combat aircraft's targets lie interms of proximity to the ground base, nor what munitions would beemployed against a target list. With aerial re-armament, surprise wouldbe achieved and maintained throughout aerial combat operations.

What is needed therefore is a system for aerial re-armament of combataircraft so as to enhance the response time, combat effectiveness,deployment options and reach of United States' combat air forces.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for aerial rearmament of combat aircraft.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus whichtransfers munitions from a rearming aircraft to the weapons pylons of acombat aircraft while both aircraft are in flight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod to automate the process of guiding the transfer of munitions froma rearming aircraft to the weapons pylons of a combat aircraft.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusto facilitate the adaptation of any combat aircraft's weapons pylons tomunitions transferred from a rearming aircraft in flight.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method forstoring in a database all combinations of munitions, rearmament aircraftand combat aircraft types and to configure such combinations in responseto an Air Tasking Order (ATO).

Still yet another object of the present invention is to an apparatus bywhich the rearming aircraft can alternatively directly release munitionsnear a target wherein a combat aircraft would provide the guidance forthe munition to the target.

The invention described herein provides an apparatus and method forrearming combat aircraft in-flight. Said invention comprises anapparatus for the aerial transfer munitions from a rearming aircraft tothe weapons pylon of the recipient combat aircraft. Invention furthercomprises a method for the selection of munitions from a database ofmunitions and aircraft types in response to an Air Tasking Order.Invention further comprises an apparatus to adapt a variety of combataircraft to aerial rearmament.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus foraerial rearmament of aircraft comprises a boom, where the boom isattachable to and extendible from a rearming aircraft; a weapons mountthat is attachable to the aircraft which is to be rearmed and where theweapons mount is also capable of accepting a munition; and a weaponsplatform attached to the boom which is capable of positioning andorienting the munition for transfer from the boom to the weapons mount.

According to a feature of this embodiment of the present invention,apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft comprises means forproviding aerodynamic lift to said boom.

According to another feature of this embodiment of the presentinvention, apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft comprises a firstsensor mounted on the weapons platform and a second sensor mounted onthe weapons mount, where the first sensor cooperates with the secondsensor to assist in guiding the weapons platform to the weapons mount.

According to yet another feature of this embodiment of the presentinvention, apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft comprises aninteractive computer program which comprises a means for selectingcombinations of rearming aircraft, aircraft to be rearmed, andmunitions; a means for storing and accessing these selected combinationsin a database; a means for determining the quantity, availability, andcompatibility of the rearming aircraft, the aircraft to be rearmed andthe munitions; and a means for displaying the means for selecting, themeans for storing and accessing, and the means for determining.

According to still another feature of this embodiment of the presentinvention, apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft comprises aninteractive computer program which cooperates with a centralizeddatabase, where that centralized database may be either Air TaskingOrder (ATO) or a Theater Battle Management Core System (TBMCS).Additionally, the interactive computer program may cooperate with thecentralized database in real-time or non-real-time.

According to still yet another feature of this embodiment of the presentinvention, apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft comprises anotherinteractive computer program which comprises a means for guiding thetransfer of the munition from the rearming aircraft to the aircraft tobe rearmed; a means for determining and indicating the spatialorientation of the munition during the transfer; and means fordetermining and indicating the status of the transferred munition. Themeans for guiding the transfer of the munition further comprises a meansfor displaying the relative orientation of the first sensor to saidsecond sensor; and a means for the operator to correctly position theboom based on the displayed relative orientation. The means fordetermining and indicating the spatial orientation of the munitionfurther comprises a means for determining and indicating the azimuthangle, elevation angle and yaw angle of the weapons platform and a meansfor determining and indicating the distance between the weapons platformto the weapons mount. The means for determining and indicating thestatus of the transferred munition further comprises a means fordetermining and indicating whether or not the munition is “docked;” ameans for determining and indicating the whether or not the munition is“hooked;” and a means for determining and indicating the whether or notthe munition is “armed.”

Advantages and New Features

There are several advantages and new features of the present inventionrelative to the prior art. Important advantages include providing amethod for striking strategic targets without regard to forwardoperating locations or airspace agreements; extending indefinitely theClose Air Support mission in support of forces on the ground; providinga fleet of “virtual” bombers without the cost or time involved indeveloping more aircraft that are specifically bombers in missionorientation. The invention thus fills the traditional void in airpowertheory, that airpower cannot be effective in fighting the unconventionalwar against insurgents; using the present invention and an aerial taskforce, as soon as targets ‘pop up’ they can be hit immediately.

A related advantage stems from the fact that once the present inventionhas been deployed, the effective airframe life of combat fighteraircraft will be extended because they will not have to takeoff or landwith heavy munitions loads on their wings. A new weapons mount designedfor multiple loads, or multiple ‘shots’ facilitates such advantage andis part of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an aerial rearmament system as between a rearmingaircraft and an aircraft being rearmed.

FIG. 2 depicts an aerial rearmament system associated with a rearmingaircraft.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the components comprising an aerialrearmament system and their interconnections.

FIG. 4 depicts a munition as it relates to an aircraft weapons pylon ofan aerial rearmament system.

FIG. 5 depicts a computer screen display of an aerial rearmament systemoperator's interface.

FIG. 6 depicts a computer screen display showing rearming boom guidancefor an aerial rearmament system.

FIG. 7 depicts both a munition as it relates to an aerial rearming boom,and features of the aerial rearming boom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus for aerial rearmament comprises a boom20, a first sensor 40, a Plexiglas faring 50 covering sensor 40, aweapons platform 60, a weapons mount 80 and a second sensor 70 locatedon weapons mount 80. A rearming aircraft 10, and a combat aircraft beingrearmed 30 are likewise depicted. In this figure, boom 20 is depicted inits extended position. First sensor 40 is located on weapons platform 60and protected from the slipstream by a transparent Plexiglas fairing 50.First sensor 40 is guided to second sensor 70, located on the leadingedge of the weapons mount 80, located on the starboard wing pylon of thecombat aircraft 30. By way of an example munition 90 a General PurposeMark 82 bomb is shown already loaded onto the port wing of combataircraft 30 while another is shown in position on weapons mount 80 forplacement on the starboard wing.

Referring to FIG. 2 depicting the perspective from a combat aircraftbeing rearmed 30 viewing toward rearming aircraft 10 with the boom 20extended. Control surfaces, or ‘elevons’ 100 located on boom 20 provideboth lift and guidance for boom 20. The weapons platform 60, and anexample munition 90 in this example a General Purpose Mark 82 bombresting on the weapons platform 60 is being delivered to the combataircraft's 30 (see FIG. 1) weapons mount 80 (see FIG. 1).

Referring to FIG. 3, an electrical power source 110 from the rearmingaircraft 10 provides power for the hydraulic pump 120, the guidance unit130, the computer and monitor 140, a closed circuit television (CCTV)camera 150, and sensors 40 located on the weapons platform 60 at the endof the boom 20.

Hydraulic power is provided through hydraulic control valves 160 to theboom 20, and through the boom 20 to the elevons 100 which act as controlsurfaces to provide lift and maneuverability to the boom 20 whenextended into the slipstream behind the rearming aircraft 10.

Data in the form of guidance instructions are provided by the computer140, to and from the guidance unit 130, the hydraulic control valves160, the elevons 100, and the weapons platform 60.

Data from sensors 40 located on the weapons platform 60 at the end ofthe boom 20 is transmitted to the computer 140 where it is monitored bythe computer guidance software and the human operator. This sensor datais then interpolated into guidance instructions and sent to the guidanceunit 130, continually refreshing the position of the boom 20 and weaponsplatform 60 in relation to the position of both the combat aircraft 30and the rearming aircraft 10. Data on the precise location of the boom20 and the munition 90 located on the weapons platform 60 is provided byadditional sensors 70 located on the weapons mount 80 of the combataircraft 30.

A closed circuit television (CCTV) camera 150 located on the weaponsplatform 60 at the end of the boom 20 allows the human operator toadjust the camera 150 if necessary to visually monitor the process.Night operations lights 230, also located on the weapons platform 60,illuminate the area of activity and allow the human operator tosimilarly monitor the process visually during darkness.

Referring to FIG. 4, boom 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is telescopicallyextended outward from the rear of the rearming aircraft 10 (see FIGS. 1and 2). Boom 20 is guided by sensors 40 (see FIG. 1) and the computer140 (see FIG. 3) on the rearming aircraft 10 toward the weapons mount 80located on the pylon of the combat aircraft 30. Weapons mount 80 isfixed to the pylon by ground crew while the combat aircraft 30 is on theground through the use of a first pair of standard mounting loops 170.Once the weapons mount 80 is fixed on the combat aircraft 30 pylon, allother munitions 90 loading can be accomplished while the combat aircraft30 is airborne.

A second pair of standard loops 180 are located in tandem on the topsurface of the weapon 90 and are forced upward with the motion of theboom 20 until the loops 180 engage the hooks 190 on the weapons mount80. Any slight variations in movement necessary to perform this part ofthe process are facilitated by the articulating pivoting cradle 350located on the weapons platform 60. Until the second pair of standardloops 180 on the munition 90 are fully engaged to the hooks 190 on theweapon mount 80 of the combat aircraft 30, the weapon 90 is held to theweapons platform 60 and the boom 20 through clamping action provided bya set of calipers 200 which open by computer control once electronic andvisual verification of attachment is achieved by the human operator.

During attack runs on the target, the combat aircraft pilot releases themunition 90 in the normal way; when he does this, the repeating gascanister gun 210 fires its round (similar to an eight-gauge shotgunshell) which forces the hooks 190 open and simultaneously forces anassisting plunger 220 downward, pushing the munition 90 away from theweapons mount 80 and towards its target on the ground.

Referring to FIG. 5, a computer screenshot is shown which depicts someof the facets of the present invention aerial rearmament system as itmight be implemented within a typical Unix-based Command and Controlsystem such as the Theater Battle Management Core System (TBMCS). Inthis screenshot, all items along the top Tool Bar 240 have their dropdown menus visible. In actual operation, each of these drop down menusis collapsed until desired by clicking on it with a mouse or otherpointing device. In preparation for the aerial rearmament mission, thehuman operator selects one item from each of the drop down menus,filling out the online form which then constitutes a database. Each itemselected is then inserted into the database file 250, which is savedwith a unique name. This information then becomes part of the AirTasking Order (ATO) within the TBMCS. When the operator reopens thisdatabase file 250, all the information needed to complete the aerialrearmament mission is available at a glance to the human operator. Thisdatabase file 250 can either be filled out on the ground before themission(s), and then either transmitted up to the rearmament aircraftelectronically, or loaded into the rearmament aircraft's computer on afloppy disk or other mechanical means, or filled out by the humanoperator on the rearmament aircraft while in flight and transmitted tothe command and control facility located on the ground. Each time arearmament mission is completed, the remaining available inventory ofmunitions stores located on the rearmament aircraft is updated in thedatabase and reported to Command and Control personnel on the ground.

Referring to FIG. 6, a computer screen shot 260 depicts the computersoftware indicating guidance progress of the boom 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2)and the munition 90 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) to be loaded onto the combataircraft. The physical location of the first sensor 40 located on theend of the telescoping boom 20 is depicted in relation to its positionwith respect to the second sensor 70 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) located on thefront of the weapons mount 80 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) which is attached tothe appropriate pylon 270 of the combat aircraft 30 (see FIG. 1).

The distance indication 280 (in meters) of the first sensor 40 (i.e.,located on the end of the boom 20) is calculated by the guidancesoftware. In a like manner, the azimuth 290 (in degrees) of the weaponsplatform 60, elevation angle 300 (in degrees), and yaw angle 310 (indegrees) are updated and shown in their respective boxes. When theweapons platform 60 reaches its correct position under the weapons mount80 it is said to be ‘docked,’ and this condition is then depicted on thedisplay as a green light 320 in the “Docked Yes/No”. Until the dockedcondition is achieved, a red indicator light 320 remains illuminated.

The munition 90 only remains in the docked position momentarily, then itis raised slightly to engage its standard loops 180 (see FIG. 4) intothe two ‘L’ shaped hooks 190 (see FIG. 4) located in tandem in theweapons mount. These loops are in standard locations on every munitionregardless of type. When the “hooked condition” exists, a green light330 is illuminated. Prior to this condition a red light 330 is lit.

The last procedure is the arming state of the munition. An “armed state”is indicated by a green light 340, which remains illuminated with a redlight 340 until armed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the present invention is depicted in an additionalrole directly dropping munitions 90 (such as the Guided Bomb Units(GBUs) shown) from the boom 20 while extended through the rear of arearming aircraft 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) such as a C-141, C-130, or C-17etc. The extended boom 20, together with elevons 100, weapons platform60, and protective fairing 50 are shown. An endless conveying system 370is attached underneath the boom 20, which allows munitions 90 to beconveyed rearward and then released. Once released, the calipers 200 andsway braces 360 which hold the munition 90 to the endless conveyingsystem 370 temporarily until release continue their progress on theconveyor returning to their starting position inside the rearmingaircraft 10 in the munitions build area, where another munition 90 canbe built and conveyed.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been particularlydescribed in the specification and illustrated in the drawing, it shouldbe understood that the invention is not so limited. Many modifications,equivalents, and adaptations of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. Apparatus for aerial rearmament of aircraft, comprising: a boom, saidboom being attachable to and extendible from a rearming aircraft; aweapons mount, said weapons mount being attachable to an aircraft whichis to be rearmed; said weapons mount being capable of accepting amunition; and a weapons platform, said weapons platform being attachedto said boom, said weapons platform being capable of positioning andorienting said munition for transfer from said boom to said weaponsmount.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: means forproviding aerodynamic lift to said boom.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2,further comprising: a first sensor mounted on said weapons platform; anda second sensor mounted on said weapons mount; wherein said first sensorcooperates with said second sensor so as to assist in guiding saidweapons platform to said weapons mount.
 4. Weapons mount as in claim 1,further comprising: a plurality of hooks for engaging loops on saidmunition; means for simultaneously forcing open said hooks so as todisengage said plurality of hooks from said loops and release saidmunition; and a plunger for forcing said munition downward and away fromsaid weapons mount immediately upon release.
 5. Weapons platform as inclaim 1, further comprising: a movable cradle to provide saidpositioning and said orienting of said munition; and a plurality ofcalipers for holding said munition to said movable cradle.
 6. Apparatusof claim 3, further comprising: a computer and monitor; a CCTV cameraand television monitor; a guidance unit; an electrical power source ahydraulic pump; and a plurality of hydraulic control valves, wherein:said computer receives and processes data generated by said first sensorand said second sensor; said computer further generates and forwardsinstructions from said processed data to said guidance unit; saidguidance unit actuates said plurality of hydraulic control valves so asto cause hydraulic pressure from said hydraulic pump to effectuatepositioning of said boom; and said CCTV camera captures an image of saidpositioning and said orienting of said munition being transferred fromsaid boom to said weapons mount and displays said captured image on saidtelevision monitor.
 7. Apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a firstinteractive computer program, comprising: means for selectingcombinations of said rearming aircraft, said aircraft to be rearmed, andsaid munitions; means for storing and accessing said selectedcombinations in a database; means for determining the quantity,availability, and compatibility of said rearming aircraft, said aircraftto be rearmed and said munitions; and means for displaying said meansfor selecting, said means for storing and accessing, and said means fordetermining.
 8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first interactivecomputer program cooperates with a centralized database.
 9. Apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said centralized database is selected from the groupconsisting of: an Air Tasking Order (ATO) and a Theater BattleManagement Core System (TBMCS).
 10. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein saidfirst interactive computer program cooperates with said centralizeddatabase in real-time.
 11. Apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: asecond interactive computer program, comprising means for guiding thetransfer of said munition from said rearming aircraft to said aircraftto be rearmed; means for determining and indicating the spatialorientation of said munition during said transfer; and means fordetermining and indicating the status of said transferred munition. 12.Means for guiding as in claim 11, further comprising: means fordisplaying the relative orientation of said first sensor to said secondsensor; and means for operator to correctly position said boom based onsaid displayed relative orientation.
 13. Means for determining andindicating the spatial orientation of said munition as in claim 11,further comprising: means for determining and indicating the azimuthangle, elevation angle and yaw angle of said weapons platform; and meansfor determining and indicating the distance between said weaponsplatform to said weapons mount.
 14. Means for determining and indicatingthe status of said transferred munition as in claim 11, furthercomprising: means for determining and indicating whether or not saidmunition is “docked”; means for determining and indicating whether ornot said munition is “hooked”; and means for determining and indicatingwhether or not said munition is “armed”.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 11,wherein said means for guiding the transfer, said means for indicatingthe spatial orientation, and said means for indicating the statusfurther comprise an interactive computer display for viewing the same byan operator.
 16. Means for the direct release of a munition from arearming aircraft, comprising: a boom, said boom being attachable to andextendible from said rearming aircraft; a conveyor attached to saidboom, wherein said conveyor conveys said munition from said rearmingaircraft to end of said boom; means for providing aerodynamic lift tosaid boom; and a plurality of calipers for holding said munition to saidconveyor, until said calipers are commanded to release said munition.17. Method for aerial rearmament of aircraft, comprising the steps of:extending a boom from a rearming aircraft; affixing a munition to saidboom; providing aerodynamic lift and aerodynamic directional control tosaid boom so as to support and maneuver said boom with said affixedmunition; adapting an aircraft which is to be rearmed so as to receivesaid munition from said boom; positioning and orienting said munitionfor transfer from said boom to said adapter of said aircraft to berearmed; and captively engaging said munition onto said adapter. 18.Method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: a first step ofsensing the position of said boom; a second step of sensing the positionof said adapter; and cooperating between said first step of sensing andsaid second step of sensing; and so as to guide said boom to saidadapter.
 19. Method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:processing data generated by said first step of sensing and said secondstep of sensing; generating and forwarding instructions from said stepof processing data to a guidance unit; actuating a plurality of controlmechanisms so as to effectuate positioning of said boom; capturing animage of said positioning and said orienting of said munition; anddisplaying said image on a means for viewing by an operator.
 20. Methodof claim 17, further comprising the steps of: selecting combinations ofsaid rearming aircraft, said aircraft to be rearmed, and said munitions;storing and accessing said selected combinations in a database;determining the quantity, availability, and compatibility of saidrearming aircraft, said aircraft to be rearmed and said munitions; anddisplaying said selected combinations.
 21. Method of claim 20, furthercomprising the step of cooperating with a centralized database. 22.Method as in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: determining andindicating the azimuth angle, elevation angle and yaw angle of saidboom; and determining and indicating the distance between said munitionon said boom to said adapter on said aircraft to be rearmed.
 23. Methodas in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: determining andindicating whether or not said munition is “docked”; determining andindicating whether or not said munition is “hooked”; and determining andindicating whether or not said munition is “armed”.